Strawberry plant named ‘BG-625’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct winter planted short day variety of strawberry known as ‘BG-625’. This new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the southern coast of California. Its strong vigorous plant with large uniformly shaped fruit particularly characterizes the new variety. The fruit is medium to light in color and tends to develop raised seeds at times. Fruit size and production tends to fall off late in the season while the peak is relatively strong during the months of March through April.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct short-day strawberryvariety designated as ‘BG-625’. This new variety is a result of acontrolled cross of ‘Anahiem’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,659) and ‘PS-592’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903). Plant Sciences, Inc. on behalf of BerryGenetics, Inc. performed the cross under contract. The variety isbotanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexuallypropagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County,California, and was subsequently selected from a controlled breedingplot near Oxnard, Calif. in 1997. After its selection, the new varietywas further asexually propagated in Siskiyou County, California bystolons and extensively tested over the next several years in fruitingfields near Oxnard, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that thecombination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new varietyare fixed and remain true to type through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety at various stages of development as nearly true as it ispossible to make in color reproductions:

FIG. 1 shows a close-up of typical leaf characteristics taken on May 13,2000;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of typical fruit characteristics taken on Apr.21, 2000.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

‘BG-625’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe southern coast of California. This region provides the necessarywinter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plantand to remain in fruit production from January through June. The nearbyPacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures tomaintain fruit quality during the winter and spring production months.The following list of traits in combination define ‘BG-625’ as a uniquevariety distinguishing it from the most widely grown commercial varietyin the region, ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708).

‘BG-625’ is a medium to large plant. When provided with optimum chillingin the nursery propagation fields prior to being dug and artificial coldstorage prior to being planted, the plant of ‘BG-625’ is larger and morevigorous than ‘Camarosa’. The plant habit of ‘BG-625’ is globose where‘Camarosa’ is more flat globose. The color of the upper surface of theleaf of ‘BG-625’ is medium green while ‘Camarosa’ is medium to lightgreen. The leaf shape in cross section of ‘BG-625’ is strongly toslightly concave while ‘Camarosa’ is slightly concave to flat. Leafblistering of ‘BG-625’ is medium while ‘Camarosa’ is medium to strong.The terminal leaflet length to width ratio of ‘BG-625’ is nearly as longas broad while ‘Camarosa’ is longer than broad. Leaf gloss of ‘BG-625’is medium to strong while ‘Camarosa’ is medium. Petioles of ‘BG-625’ areshorter and smaller in diameter than ‘Camarosa’. ‘BG-625’ has fewerserrations per leaf as compared to ‘Camarosa’. Table 4 illustratesfoliage characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and ‘Camarosa’.

‘BG-625’ is capable of long season fruit production with fruit ofexcellent size and quality during the entire season when provided withoptimum chilling in the nursery propagation fields and artificially coldstored prior to being planted. ‘BG-625’ does not fruit as early as‘Camarosa’ in January. Fruit production begins up to 1-2 weeks laterthan ‘Camarosa’. ‘BG-625’ also does not fruit as heavily as ‘Camarosa’late in the season (May-June). Over a two year average ‘BG-625’ yieldshave been very comparable to ‘Camarosa’ with similar runner productionand a much larger berry size as compared to ‘Camarosa’ (Table 1). Thestolon anthocyanin coloration of ‘BG-625’ is strong while ‘Camarosa’ ismedium. The stolon pubescence of ‘BG-625’ is strong and mostlyperpendicular to the stolon while ‘Camarosa’ is medium and mostlyparallel to the stolon.

The fruit of ‘BG-625’ is mostly smooth with very few longitudinalcreases and good overall appearance and gloss. See Table 3 for fruitquality performance ratings. The fruit length to with ratio of ‘BG-625’is as long as broad while ‘Camarosa’ is much longer than broad. Thepredominant fruit shape of ‘BG-625’ is conical to cordiform while‘Camarosa’ is cylindrical to wedged. The difference in fruit shapesbetween primaries and secondaries of ‘BG-625’ is none-or very slightwhile ‘Camarosa’ is moderate to marked. ‘BG-625’ has a narrow bandwithout achenes under the calyx while ‘Camarosa’ is medium. The surfaceof the fruit of ‘BG-625’ tends to be very uniform and even lackinglongitudinal creases while ‘Camarosa’ tends to more of an uneven surfacewith more longitudinal creases and irregular shapes. The fruit color of‘BG-625’ is orange red to red while ‘Camarosa’ is red. The fruit glossof ‘BG-625’ is medium to strong while ‘Camarosa’ is medium. Theinsertion of achenes of ‘BG-625’ are level with the surface of the berryto above while ‘Camarosa’ tends to be below the surface of the berry.The attitude of the calyx segments of ‘BG-625’ is typically collapsingto spreading while ‘Camarosa’ is more reflexed. The fruit firmness of‘BG-625’ is medium while ‘Camarosa’ is very firm. Table 2 illustratesfruit characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and ‘Camarosa’.

The inflorescence position of the flowers relative to the foliage of‘BG-625’ is level with to above while ‘Camarosa’ is level with tobeneath. ‘BG-625’ typically has no anthocyanin coloration to theinflorescence while ‘Camarosa’ is light. The pedicel's holding theprimary and secondary berries of ‘BG-625’ are both longer than‘Camarosa’. See Table 5 for inflorescence characteristics. The flowersize of ‘BG-625’ is medium to large while ‘Camarosa’ is large. The petallength to width ratio of ‘BG-625’ is broader than long while ‘Camarosa’is longer than broad. ‘BG-625’ also has typically fewer petals perflower than ‘Camarosa’. See Table 6 for flower characteristics.

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Unless otherwise noted, this detailed description is based onobservations taken during the 2000-growing season in Oxnard, Calif.These measurements and ratings were made from plants dug from ahigh-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during thefirst week in October 1999 and planted 3 days later in Oxnard, Calif.Yield observations are averaged from data collected during the 1999 and2000 growing seasons. The characteristics of the new variety may vary indetail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, includingweather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soiltype and location. ‘BG-625’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. Color terminology follows the Munsell Book ofColors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

Fruit Characteristics

‘BG-625’ fruit, fruit production and runner production (fruiting field)characteristics as compared to those of ‘Camarosa’.

TABLE 1 1999-2000 average market fruit yield, fruit size and runnerproduction characteristics from plants harvested from January throughMay, 1999 and 2000 of ‘BG-625’ dug from a high elevation nursery(Macdoel, California) during the first week of October and planted 4-5days later and compared with ‘Camerosa’ in Oxnard, California 1999 20001999-2000 1999- Total Total 1999-2000 Average 2000 Fresh* Fresh* AverageFruit Size Average Yield Yield Fresh* Yield Fresh Runners/ CultivarGM/PL GM/PL GM/PL Fresh GRM PL ‘BG-625’ 971 693 832 29.2 0.6 ‘Camarosa’876 799 837 22.8 0.4

TABLE 2 Comparison of secondary fruit characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and‘Camerosa’ from Oxnard, California, April 7, 2000. Character ‘BG-625’‘Camerosa’ Munsell Color 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 5R 3/8 to 3/10 Fruit Lengthmean (cm) 3.8 4.5 range 2.9-4.9 4.1-5.1 Fruit Width mean (cm)* 3.8 3.2range 3.3-4.3 2.8-3.5 Fruit Length/Width Ratio 1.00 1.40 Calyx Diametermean (cm) 4.8 4.7 range 4.1-5.5 3.7-5.6 *Width is measured across thewidest part of the berry, typically across the shoulders

TABLE 3 Comparison of 1998-2000 fruit quality characteristics of‘BG-625’ and ‘Camerosa’ from Oxnard, California.* Character ‘BG-625’‘Camerosa’ Skin Firness 7.7 9.0 Fruit Appearance 7.3 7.0 Fruit Gloss 8.07.6 *Results are averaged from 3 years of replicated holding testperformed from January through May 1998-2000. (Ratings are based on ascale from 1-10; the higher the rating, the stronger and the moreattractive and glossy the berry).

Fruit characteristics are taken from secondary fruit on a first yearplanting.

Fruit:

Ratio of length/width.—As long as broad.

Size.—Very large (mean length 3.8 cm, mean width 3.8 cm).

Predominant shape.—Conical to cordiform.

Difference in shapes between primary and secondary fruit.—None or veryslight.

Band without achenes.—Narrow.

Unevenness of surface.—Absent or very weak.

Color.—Orange red to red.

Evenness of color.—Even.

Glossiness.—Medium to strong.

Insertion of achenes.—Level with the surface to above the surface.

Insertion of calyx.—In the basin to level.

Attitude of the calyx segments.—Collapsing to spreading.

Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly larger to muchlarger.

Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.

Firmness of skin.—Medium (See Table 3).

Firmness of flesh.—Medium (See Table 3).

Color of flesh.—Light red (7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 ).

Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and central.

Hollow center.—N/A.

Time of flowering ( 50 % of plants at first flower). —Medium.

Time of ripening ( 50 % of plants with ripe fruit).—Medium.

Type of bearing.—Not remontant.

Plant Characteristics

Plant characteristics are based upon plants planted with optimum fieldchilling and subsequent optimum artificial cold storage.

Plant:

Size.—Medium to large.

Habit.—Globose.

Density.—Medium.

Vigor.—Medium to strong.

Stolons:

Number.—Medium.

Anthocyanin coloration.—Strong.

Thickness.—Medium.

Pubescence.—Strong.

Foliage Characteristics

‘BG-625’ foliage characteristics as compared to those of ‘Camarosa’.

TABLE 4 Comparison of leaf characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and ‘Camerosa’from Oxnard, California, April 7, 2000. Character ‘BG-625’ ‘Camerosa’Munsell Color 7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6 5GY 3/4 to 3/6 (upper surface) TerminalLeaflet Length mean (cm) 6.2 6.5 range 5.9-6.6 5.7-7.3 Terminal LeafletWidth mean (cm) 6.3 6.7 range 5.4-7.5 5.5-8.1 Terminal Leaflet ratio 0.99  0.97 (L/W) Petiole Length mean (cm) 15.1  16.6  range 12.2-18.515.3-18.3 Petiole Width mean (mm) 3.6 3.9 range 3.2-4.0 3.0-5.0Petiolule Length mean (mm) 5.3 7.3 range 3-9  5-10 Serrations/Leaf 17.7 19.8  Serration Depth mean (mm) 5.6 5.4 range 4.5-6.4 4.2-6.2

Foliage characteristics are taken from a fully mature tri-foliate duringmid season.

Foliage:

Color of upper surface.—Medium green (7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6).

Shape in cross section.—Strongly to slightly concave.

Blistering.—Medium.

Glossiness.—Medium to strong.

Terminal leaflet:

Mean length.—6.2 cm.

Mean width.—6.3 cm.

Length/width ratio.—As long as broad.

Shape of base.—Obtuse.

Shape of incision of margins.—Serrate.

Depth of serrations.—Medium to deep.

Petiole:

Pubescence.—Moderate to heavy.

Anthocyanin coloration of stipule.—N/A.

Attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.

Mean length.—15.1 cm.

Mean width.—3.6 cm.

Thickness.—Medium.

Flowers and Inflorescences

‘BG-625’ inflorescence and flower characteristics as compared to thoseof ‘Camarosa’.

TABLE 5 Comparison of inflorescence characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and‘Camerosa’ from Oxnard, California, April 7, 2000. Character ‘BG-625’‘Camerosa’ Primary Pedicel Length mean (cm) 17.5 16.8 range 12.0-23.012.0-19.0 Primary Pedicel Width mean (cm)  3.2  3.2 range 2.7-3.52.8-4.2 Secondary Pedicel Length mean (cm) 19.4 14.3 range 17.0-22.210.0-17.3 Secondary Pedicel Width mean (cm)  3.1  2.9 range 2.6-4.22.5-3.5

TABLE 6 Comparison of secondary flower characteristics of ‘BG-625’ and‘Camerosa’ from Oxnard, California, April 7, 2000. Character ‘BG-625’‘Camerosa’ Flower Diameter mean (cm) 2.9 3.8 range 2.4-3.3 3.2-4.5 PetalLength mean (mm) 1.1 1.1 range 1.0-1.2 1.0-1.2 Petal Width mean (mm) 1.21.1 range 1.0-1.3 1.0-1.2 Petal L/W Ratio  0.95  1.00 Petals/Flower 5.36.4

Inflorescence characteristic are taken from a fully mature plant duringmid season. Flower characteristics are taken from a secondary flowerduring mid season at full maturity:

Inflorescence:

Position relative to foliage.—Level with to above.

Secondary pedicel length.—Very long.

Secondary pedicel width.—Thick.

Pubescence.—Weak to medium.

Flowers:

Color.—White.

Mean flower diameter.—2.9 cm.

Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Larger.

Relative position of petals (observed on flowers with 5 or 6petals).—Free to touching.

Length/width ratio.—Broader than long.

Pest Reactions

This new variety may not be resistant to any of the known insects,diseases or viruses common in California. It is known to be susceptibleto the two-spotted spider mite, aphid and flower thrips. It is alsoknown to be susceptible to grey fruit mold, powdery mildew and angularleafspot. The susceptibility of the new variety to any of the viruscomplexes of California has not been determined.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry variety as herein describedand illustrated by the